We recently visited a sustainable homeowner in West Oxfordshire to find out more about the real benefits and challenges of the entire installation process. With three in four Brits wanting to invest in eco-features on their home*1, there’s a growing market for sustainable measures that shows no sign of slowing down soon. Despite this huge…

Don’t let scammers take advantage of your good intentions. Here’s how to protect yourself, stay informed, and find genuine ways to make your home more energy efficient.  Ever had an unsolicited phone call from your ‘local energy advisor’? Seen social media adverts for FREE solar panels and batteries (just enter your personal details to check…

Heat pumps are one of the most efficient, low-carbon ways to heat your home – but what do they really cost? This guide explains installation prices, running costs, grants, and practical steps to make sure a heat pump works for your home, your comfort, and your long-term energy savings.

Is there really such a thing as free solar panels? With energy prices still high, many households are wondering whether solar can really be installed for free – or if those online offers are too good to be true. We explain which government-backed schemes genuinely support low-income households, who qualifies, and how to avoid misleading or fraudulent offers.

As more households turn to solar to cut energy bills and carbon emissions, demand for installations is rising fast. But with so many new companies entering the market, choosing the right installer can be confusing. Our guide explains how to find a trustworthy solar installer, what to check before you sign, and how to protect yourself from common pitfalls – with insights from local experts and community experience across Oxfordshire.

The national housing shortage is a hot topic at the moment, as are the carbon emissions associated with new developments (such as Salt Cross in West Oxfordshire). I recently visited a unique eco-homes project in Eynsham to find out more about how communal living can set a positive precedent. When entering the site of Mike…

A competition for children living in or attending schools in the CAPZero area (see map of area), other students at EPA Trust schools and those visiting the area over the summer holidays. Our zero-carbon future: clean energy, healthy planet! What does a world with clean, green energy and a healthy environment look like to you?…

Funding is now available via Oxfordshire County Council through the Warm Homes: Local Grant. It is designed to provide fully funded energy efficiency upgrades for homeowners and private tenants on a low household income and at risk of fuel poverty. Eligibility You may qualify for the funding if the following statements apply to you.  And…

What’s Happening at Salt Cross? Many local residents will be aware that Salt Cross is a proposed garden village, consisting of 2,200 homes and employment space, and located north of the A40 across from Eynsham. To guide this major development, West Oxfordshire District Council created a strong and ambitious planning policy, known as Policy 2…

Our Community Action Plan for Zero-Carbon Energy (CAPZero) is the first of its kind in the UK. It models how a cluster of communities in West Oxfordshire can create a zero-carbon energy system in their local area, in a way that benefits everyone. It is a plan developed by community representatives together with energy system…

If we’re serious about cutting carbon emissions from our homes, we need a clear plan for building better. That means well-insulated houses that use clean energy – without being ridiculously expensive or difficult to build. There are different ways to set standards for this, but not all of them work well in the real world.

When buying their home in the Hanborough Gate development, the owner was already thinking of its potential to add solar panels and a heat pump: what was the house and driveway’s orientation? How far away was it from the next property? Starting with an already well-insulated home Built only around five years ago, the house…